Time for EU to give Parliament the chop?

Sir, – Is it not time the European Union considered abolishing the European Parliament?

I doubt if even 1 per cent of the Irish electorate can point to any achievement of the European Parliament. The democratic element in the union is already provided by the Council of Ministers where democratically elected government representatives have much stronger credentials for representing the local electorate. It is time we stopped pretending the EU is a state. It is a multi-lateral international organisation that plays a very important role in citizens’ lives, but is not a national state.

The European Parliament is an expensive charade which does little for the good governance of Ireland, but has been established to provide hefty salaries to “has been” national politicians. It is time to abolish it. It makes the Irish Senate actually look good. – Yours, etc,